iPhone 16 Review: Apple’s Most Balanced Upgrade Yet

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Introduction

Every September, Apple makes headlines with its new iPhone lineup, and 2025 is no different. The iPhone 16 arrives as the standard-bearer for Apple’s core audience—those who want a premium device with the latest features, without necessarily paying Pro-level prices.

This year, Apple has added meaningful upgrades: the new A18 chip for better performance and efficiency, improved battery life, smarter AI features under Apple Intelligence, and two new hardware buttons that change the way you interact with your phone. The result is a smartphone that feels familiar, yet fresh and practical.

iPhone 16 Specs at a Glance

  • Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2556 × 1179 px (≈460 ppi), 60 Hz

  • Chipset: Apple A18 (6-core CPU up to 4.04 GHz, 4–6 GPU cores, 16-core Neural Engine)

  • Memory & Storage: 8 GB RAM; 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB storage options

  • Battery: 3,561 mAh; up to 22 hours video playback; 12 h 43 min web browsing life

  • Charging: Wired fast charging up to 25W; 55–57% charge in 30 min; MagSafe wireless supported

  • Rear Cameras: 48 MP wide (Fusion sensor, OIS), 12 MP ultrawide (vertical alignment enables spatial video)

  • Front Camera: 12 MP

  • Connectivity: Dual eSIM (US models are eSIM-only), Wi-Fi 7, 5G, Ultra Wideband, satellite SOS

  • OS & AI: iOS 18 with Apple Intelligence features (expanding with iOS 18.1)

  • Design & Build: Action Button + Camera Control button; aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield, color-infused glass back; weight 170 g; thickness 7.8 mm

  • Colours: Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine

Design, Build Quality & Handling

The iPhone 16 doesn’t reinvent Apple’s design language, but it subtly refines it. The aluminium frame feels sturdy yet lightweight, while the Ceramic Shield keeps the display durable against drops and scratches. At 170 g and 7.8 mm thin, the device is easy to handle with one hand—something that can’t be said for the bulkier Plus or Pro Max models.

The new Camera Control button is the standout design addition. Positioned on the side, it allows for a half-press to lock focus and a full-press to capture, mimicking the experience of a DSLR. The Action Button, first introduced on the Pro lineup, is now available here and can be customised for quick tasks like launching the camera, recording a voice memo, or activating silent mode.

Display

The iPhone 16’s 6.1-inch OLED panel delivers vibrant colours, true blacks, and high brightness levels that peak at around 1,350 nits outdoors—more than enough for sunny environments. The colour calibration is excellent, covering around 80% of the DCI-P3 gamut with impressive accuracy.

The only limitation is the 60 Hz refresh rate. Once you’ve experienced Apple’s 120 Hz ProMotion display on Pro models, scrolling on the standard iPhone feels slightly less fluid. Still, for most users, the display quality is more than satisfying.

Battery Life & Charging Speed

Apple has given the iPhone 16 a slight bump in battery size (3,561 mAh) and paired it with the more efficient A18 chip. The result? Approximately 12 hours and 40 minutes of continuous web browsing, and up to 22 hours of video playback. That’s about 2 hours longer than the iPhone 15, which struggled in comparison to Android rivals.

For everyday use—such as messaging, browsing, social media, and photography—the phone comfortably lasts a whole day with some charge remaining in the evening. Apple hasn’t made major leaps here. Wired charging tops out at 25 W, taking you to about 55–57% in 30 minutes. MagSafe wireless charging remains capped at 15 W, though it’s more efficient than before. While competitors like OnePlus or Xiaomi offer 80–100 W charging speeds, Apple continues to prioritise battery health and longevity over raw charging numbers.

Connectivity

Connectivity is a strong point for the iPhone 16. Wi-Fi 7 support makes it future-ready for faster wireless networks, while 5G and Ultra Wideband ensure seamless performance in crowded urban areas. In emergencies, the satellite SOS feature is a lifesaver, letting you connect with help even without cellular coverage.

US models remain eSIM-only, while global variants offer a mix of eSIM and physical SIM support depending on the region.

Operating System

The iPhone 16 ships with iOS 18, one of the most feature-rich software updates Apple has ever released. The standout feature is Apple Intelligence—a suite of AI-powered tools that bring smarter text rewriting, image generation, context-aware Siri, and automatic photo editing. These features are gradually rolling out with iOS 18.1 and beyond.

Customisation options also see a boost, with more flexible widgets, app icon placement, and lock screen personalisation. It feels fresh without losing the clean, polished iOS identity.

Benchmarks & Performance

Powered by the new A18 chip, the iPhone 16 is swift. Benchmarks show around 3,300 in single-core and 8,000 in multi-core Geekbench scores, making it one of the fastest non-Pro smartphones available.

Everyday tasks are instantaneous, gaming performance is top-notch, and the 8 GB of RAM ensures apps stay loaded in the background. The A18’s 16-core Neural Engine also enables smooth AI processing, from live transcription to on-device image editing.

Camera System

The camera system gets a thoughtful redesign. Apple has shifted the lenses into a vertical alignment, enabling spatial video recording—a feature designed for Apple Vision Pro users.

  • 48 MP primary sensor: Delivers sharp, detailed images with excellent low-light performance thanks to sensor fusion and OIS.

  • 12 MP ultrawide: Ideal for landscapes and group shots, with enhanced sharpness and reduced edge distortion.

  • 12 MP front camera: Still reliable for selfies and FaceTime, with natural colour tones.

The new Camera Control button is a game-changer for photographers, giving more tactile control. While it lacks the telephoto zoom of the Pro models, the iPhone 16 still delivers versatile and reliable photography results for most users.

The Competition & Price

Competition:

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Offers a massive 200 MP camera and a longer-lasting battery, but comes at a higher price.

  • Google Pixel 9a: Provides outstanding AI-driven photography at a more budget-friendly cost, though it lags behind in raw performance.

  • iPhone 16 Pro: For those who want 120 Hz ProMotion and telephoto zoom, the Pro is tempting—but it costs at least $200 more.

Pricing:

  • iPhone 16 starts at $799 (128 GB).

  • In India, the official price starts at ₹69,999, although seasonal deals and bank discounts can significantly lower the effective cost.

Our Verdict

The iPhone 16 feels like Apple’s most balanced iPhone in years. It introduces meaningful upgrades like the A18 chip, longer battery life, the intuitive Camera Control button, and Apple Intelligence—all while keeping the price below the Pro models.

Yes, it lacks a 120 Hz display and telephoto zoom, but for most users, these omissions won’t be deal-breakers. Instead, you get a device that’s powerful, polished, and future-ready—perfect for anyone who wants the premium iPhone experience without going Pro.

Bottom line: The iPhone 16 is the sweet spot of Apple’s 2025 lineup—reliable, robust, and built to last.

Buy it here.

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